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Ruud van Nistelrooy already made feelings on Jamie Vardy clear as striker’s form takes a dive
Jamie Vardy of Leicester City and Leicester City Manager Ruud van Nistelrooy are all smiles during the Premier League match between Leicester City ...
Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images

Jamie Vardy has been a superb servant for Leicester City but his form has taken a dip recently.

The striker kicked off the season in style, opening his account on day one to secure Leicester City a draw with Tottenham Hotspur.

Jamie Vardy continued to excel for large portions of 2024, finding the net six times and providing three assists in his first 14 Premier League appearances of the season.

The Foxes’ captain has seen his form take something of a nosedive in the last month or so, however.

Vardy has now gone six Premier League games without providing a single goal contribution and, unsurprisingly given his importance, Leicester have lost all of those matches.

Ruud van Nistelrooy manager / head coach of Leicester City celebrates with Jamie Vardy during the Premier League match between Leicester City FC an...
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images

What Ruud van Nistelrooy has said about Jamie Vardy

Vardy wasted a lot of chances when the Midlands outfit lost to Crystal Palace this past Wednesday.

He was similarly poor on Saturday against Fulham, mustering up just one shot and having 15 touches of the ball.

Vardy is now 38 years of age and it’s expected that his ability will start to decline going forward.

But with Leicester in a relegation battle right now, some fans may wish to see the Englishman dropped.

However, Ruud van Nistelrooy made his feelings about Vardy clear when speaking in December 2024.

He said: “I was just turning 36 in July 2012 when I played my last game. It’s a process that’s slow from the start to the end of your career, when you’re constantly evolving.

“You don’t have to one day think about it, it goes through the years. Jamie is adapting with the game intelligence he has and knowing where he needs to be. You saw it with the timing of his run. He won’t lose that, he won’t ever lose that.”

Jamie Vardy of Leicester City warms up prior to the Premier League match between Leicester City FC and Fulham FC at The King Power Stadium on Janua...
Photo by Cameron Smith – Danehouse/Getty Images

How Leicester City could replace Jamie Vardy

While Van Nistelrooy has backed Vardy, it’s clear the former England international is underperforming currently.

Big meetings with Tottenham Hotspur and Everton are on the horizon for the Foxes and it may be time for Ruud to take the striker out of the firing line.

On this front, however, the Dutchman currently has very limited options at his disposal.

Odsonne Edouard has been awful since his arrival on loan from Crystal Palace and currently isn’t making matchday squads.

In turn, it may be time for Patson Daka, who scored in Van Nistelrooy’s first match, to be given a chance from the off.

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